I have finally upgraded to our own domain and a higher level of bandwidth. I will be creating an RSS feed and the works for all who are interested in that. Please update your bookmarks to the following new and improved All Metal Resource:

Sorry for the brief absence. I have been working on another blog to help me make a bit more revenue. This site is something I do in my free time (despite me thinking this one probably is more popular). Anyway, if your interested in mixed martial arts, my other blog is http://www.nonstopmma.com.

As far as new content, I am going to plow through some new stuff to make up for my time off. Keep an eye out for it, should be up soon!

Once upon a time, a little Australian thrash band by the name of Mortal Sin were beginning to make a name for themselves in their land in Europe. They garnered a mild following overseas by touring with some mainstream acts, but after a U.S. tour of only a few shows, the band finally disintegrated. Various members of the band had trouble staying apart based on the cult following they had developed following their untimely demise, which culminated into a short lived reunion in the late 90’s. However, in 2004, the band name was once again revitalized with some new blood, and a new album entitled An Absence of Faith was released this year.

So, what is the significance of an upstart Australian thrash band reuniting? Well, besides the fact that they fucking rip your face off and have developed some of the best thrash riffs, I guess nothing. Mortal Sin, while not gaining vast amounts of noteriety outside of their native land, have had the post-mortem effect on the world by having some of their earlier albums re-released on CD after years of accumulating dust as vinyl gaining them a newfound set of ears in far off lands. The metal community, single handedly, revitalized this band, and I can say I had been waiting in eager anticipation for this 2007 release, and Lord was I not let down.

To any metalhead who appreciates thrash, An Absence of Faith can wholely by understood and enjoyed, but, much like a fine microbrewed lager, Mortal Sin is savored much more succinctly when you have listened to their previous works when a reunion really wasn’t even a glimpse on the horizon. For me, being an undying thrash fanatic, An Absence of Faith isn’t the be all end all of modern thrash, but it is quite an achievement for a band that was once composed of relative youngsters, to come back as grown men, and compose a brand new set of songs that could have easily been transplanted from 1987 (which, for a thrash band, is about as good of a compliment as you can get).

The highlight of the album for me is Part 2 of one of my favorite thrash songs of all time, “Lebanon”. Entitled matter of factly as “Lebanon Pt. 2: Tears of Redemption”, this song takes us back to the politically driven piece about Middle Eastern chaos. Originally focusing on the 1980’s conflict in Lebanon, this second dose of political reality is a return 20 years later that is a sparse commentary on the conflict that continues to this day in the region. I don’t feel I should take liberties defining exactly what the lyrics entail about such a subject, but feeling the anger, and the importance of such a topic is very well done. Unlike Slayer who take controversial subjects straight to the bank as the KISS of the thrash world, Mortal Sin seems to sincerely take this subject to heart, and write some brutal riffs around some telling lyrics. By far the best song on the album, and one of my favorites from the band. Great comeback!

The rest of the album contains songs that absolutely fit. Either the album is one almost entirely of filler, or there is no filler to be had, either way, it doesn’t matter, because the flow from one song to the next is smooth with a great feel (I feel like I am promoting an Ex-Lax commercial) which creates a great modern thrash album. I sincerely hope Mortal Sin decide to stick it out this time around, because I for one am still a fan, and I am willing to bet I am far from being the only one.

VERY GOOD

Top Tracks: Tears of Redemption, Say Your Prayers, Lost Within, Eye in the Sky

My first exposure to Demiricous was at the 2007 New England Metal and Hardcore festival. I had never heard of them but had been told that they were a solid modern thrash band by my fellow bloggers, Nate and” WARGLORY.” The performance was short, as most are at festival shows but I was really impressed. I got their first album, One (Hellbound), and after listening was instantly a fan. Their sound on that album was of the “death-thrash” style, most comparable to recent Slayer releases with more guttural vocals. In their sophomore effort, Two (Poverty), Demiricous has found their true sound and style. From start to finish each of the 12 tracks has a great flow and a gritty, in your face style that beckons you to bang your head. It strays slightly from their previous release in that the vocalist, Nate Olp, has changed his style. Instead of the raspy vocals used on One (Hellbound), Olp pulls back on the raspy style and pushes forward with a more straight forward bark which is extremely similar to that of Human Furnace from the Cleveland metalcore pioneers, Ringworm. I also notice other similarities to Ringworm in the overall sound of the album, especially to Ringworm’s latest release Justice Replaced by Revenge. The riffs and beats are very similar and the songs seem to follow the same pace (The difference is that I was not a fan of Justice Replaced by Revenge.) The reason why I love this new Demiricous album is because unlike Ringworm, Demiricous has pushed this album in a direction in which they needed to go: Thrash. Their previous album was a great start but it wasn’t spectacular. If they had continued with the sound off of “One,” they would have had a small run and faded into obscurity. “Two” takes every good piece from “One” and runs with it and pushes it away from the Death side of Thrash and more towards pure Thrash without sporting ripped jeans and Nuclear Assault concert tees. The album is crisp, rugged and fast; just what every Thrash fan should want from a young band in 2007 (not named Municipal Waste).

Two (Poverty) is a huge accomplishment and step forward for Demiricous. This album cements them as one of the top Thrash bands today. In addition to that honor, it could very well push them to the next level in terms of popularity. The album is catchy and palatable enough for the casual metal fan to really enjoy. Its fast paced and an overall entertaining listen. While it may not be the 80’s when Thrash was hugely popular in the metal scene, with releases like Two (Poverty) and The Art of Partying by Municipal Waste, Thrash is still alive and banging its head in 2007.

First off, we’d really appreciate the help getting the bands name out there. You can help by putting a song like “Scissor Fuck Paper Doll” on your page or you could also put Psyopus in your top friends. One small step for a blast beat fan, . . . one giant leap of help for us mediocre musicians.

Well, . . . Psyopus will be finally hitting the road again after a small haitus involving some line up changes as previously updated. We’re eager to get back out and we have a great opportunity to start out on the right foot with these up and coming Melt Banana dates.

Psyopus will also be playing our first show in Canada!!! on Nov 4th in Toronto with Misery Index.

But first, Psyopus will be breaking in new bassist Mike Horn with a semi-regional show in Norwich, NY on this upcoming Halloween weekend. If your in the neighboring regions (Binghamton, Ithaca, Syracuse, Utica), let your peeps know and definitely come check it out.

Directly after the last Melt Banana date in Rochester, NY, Psyopus guitarist, Arpmandude, will be flying down to Birmingham, AL to jump on board with The Reverend Horton Heat, Hank 3, and Nashville Pussy for their November tour. Arpmandude will be playing guitar with Hank 3 again so come out and holla’ at your boy sportin’ the overalls!!!

PSYOPUS
w/local support
27 Oct – Norwich Family YMCA – Norwich, New York